FANSiA Originals and KakaoPage
I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan
[Author/Original: Yuin]
[TL: Dekor]
[PR: Spades]
Episode 40
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An unexpected critique.
Patriarch Nordian strolled slowly toward the window.
Chirp, chirp. A black monstrous bird landed on his shoulder.
He stroked its head and spoke.
"Of course, I see you're more talented than the others. But, well, I'm not sure if you're quite what I expected."
"…"
"Talent is just potential. Even if you're a fine seed, who knows how you'll grow? You might not become a great tree—perhaps just a husk."
A chilling gaze and words.
Anyone else would've paled, but Chris, after a brief silence, replied calmly.
"You're right, my lord. I'm still lacking to meet your expectations."
Nordian caught the subtext.
"'Still' implies you're confident you will?"
"Yes, of course."
Chris answered steadily.
Nordian's eyes gleamed.
"You're correct that we'll see what I become. As you said, I could end up a husk, a great tree… or perhaps."
Chris met his gaze squarely.
"Something greater, towering over even the mightiest trees."
"!!"
No false humility.
To claim the Dark Mana Clan, he needed Nordian's favor.
Better to make a bold impression, even if it seemed brash.
Worried Nordian might take offense?
No need.
He'd prove it with actions.
"My words may sound like childish bravado. So, please, watch me closely moving forward."
Their gazes locked in the air.
Chris's fierce resolve filled Nordian's empty eyes.
"I'll show you directly. Whether I meet your expectations—or not. Dare I say, you won't be disappointed."
Silence fell.
Merian glanced at Nordian, concern in her eyes.
Nordian, silent, began to laugh.
Low.
A laugh tinged with eerie menace.
"Such spirit. Good. I'll watch you."
His crimson eyes flashed coldly.
"I hope you don't disappoint me."
---
After Chris left, Merian and Nordian spoke.
"What did you think?"
A cautious question.
She worried Nordian might resent Christian's audacity.
But he gave an unexpected reply.
"Beyond expectations. Far more impressive than I thought."
The opposite of what he'd told Chris.
"Then why say that earlier?"
"Because it's true. Talent is just talent. Don't you know how many geniuses withered before blooming?"
Fair point.
The world was full of talent.
Few bore fruit.
"Moreover, his exceptional talent will draw fierce storms, likely breaking him sooner."
Merian nodded.
Christian's talent was too great.
Was that truly a blessing?
A modest gift might've been better.
His inhuman talent would make him a target, likely to fall before blooming.
"…Can't you protect him?"
"What's the point?"
A cold retort.
Merian fell silent.
Nordian chuckled.
"Greenhouse flowers always break. Besides, you know what's coming to the Magic Empire, don't you?"
"…"
"Still, I'm intrigued."
Nordian smiled.
Not a masked smile, but genuine, almost amused.
"If he doesn't break, I wonder how he'll bloom."
He added.
"Perhaps he'll fulfill my lifelong wish."
Merian's eyes widened.
The highest praise.
She'd never heard Nordian speak so of anyone.
If Christian faltered, that favor would vanish, but today, Nordian was pleased.
---
Days passed at the main house.
Nothing notable happened.
Time flowed quietly, and Chris rested in his quarters.
But that ended.
The eve of the Black Sanctification arrived.
A banquet was held.
The pre-ceremony.
'Important event.'
Celebrating the clan's major ritual, the lords gathered.
The first meeting with his rivals.
'First, Roin.'
His opponent at the Black Sanctification.
Best to size him up.
'And Ashd.'
Chris's eyes darkened.
The near-certain heir, his greatest rival.
They already had bad blood.
Ashd, jealous of Christian's talent, had tried to ruin him.
'First Lady Yurian too.'
Merian's warning echoed.
- Beware First Lady Yurian.
Not just them.
The First Lord, Third Lord, Second Lady—all needed watching.
Every one, a foe to crush.
[Ready… done? Oh… you look splendid today.]
Marie gawked at Chris in his formal attire.
Indeed, he was striking.
Already handsome, dressed up, he was breathtaking.
Twice as handsome, twice as smug.
Chris studied the mirror, silent.
'…Handsome's great, but why's my face getting smugger? I think I'm living kindly enough.'
Not a big deal.
With a smug grin, he said.
"Let's go."
Time to meet the main house's esteemed lords.
---
"Young Master Christian, eldest son of the Kazar family!"
The banquet hall fell silent.
All eyes turned as Christian entered.
An uneasy hush.
'More attention than I expected.'
Chris shrugged.
Less attention, more hostility.
Already despised as a trashy disgrace, Nordian's summons had fanned the flames.
[Why'd the patriarch call him?]
[Because of the Tyramine demonkin rumor?]
[That trash against a demonkin? Just lucky it was reverse-summoned.]
Nordian, the clan's supreme lord, commanded universal reverence.
Many dreamed of catching his eye even once, so his interest in this trash sparked outrage.
Chris sipped ginger ale, unbothered.
'The other lords not here yet?'
A piercing gaze stabbed at him.
A refined, noble-looking youth.
Slightly older than Christian.
Sixteen? Seventeen?
Sharp eyes.
Dark hair, crimson eyes, classic Dark Mana Clan traits.
A stranger, but Chris knew instantly.
'Roin.'
His Black Sanctification rival.
Icy eyes glared with clear hostility.
Chris just shrugged.
'No need to talk here.'
They'd have a 'deep conversation' at the ritual.
Still, he was curious.
Why did Roin hate 'Christian' so much?
Just disdain for a disgrace?
Too intense for that.
Like staring at a sworn enemy.
His curiosity was soon answered.
Whispers nearby.
"Christian's in trouble. Roin's out for blood."
"Of course. He was humiliated by that trash before. Time for payback."
Apparently.
From overheard snippets, as a child, when 'Christian' was called a prodigy.
He'd crushed Roin, a similar age, in a duel.
Roin had nursed that grudge ever since.
'Petty reason. Lost because he was weak, yet he's petty like a Light Faction coward.'
Chris clicked his tongue.
Most mages didn't hold grudges over lost duels.
They respected the victor's strength.
Roin's resentment stemmed from elitism.
A main house heir, defeated by a branch member—an unbearable insult.
'Don't like him.'
Chris crossed his arms.
A shout silenced the banquet's buzz.
"The four lords and ladies!"
Four figures entered together.
Leading was a tall, striking man.
Mid-twenties.
Open, trustworthy demeanor.
Kindly appearance, but don't be fooled.
It was Ashd.
'Finally meeting him. Wonder how he'll react?'
Chris kept his arms crossed.
Ashd's recent scheme to ruin Chris had been exposed, causing a stir, so some reaction was expected.
As luck would have it, Ashd and the others were heading toward Chris.
Chris watched Ashd approach.
Ashd noticed him, his crimson eyes catching Chris.
"…"
No reaction.
Just a fleeting glance.
Not ignorance.
Not deliberate snubbing.
Genuine indifference.
Like eyeing a roadside pebble.
No emotion.
'Well, look at that.'
Chris's lips curled.
He wasn't begging for attention like a whiner.
Just curious how a wrongdoer would react.
After all, Chris was the victim.
Then it hit him—why Ashd had targeted Christian.
Not out of great jealousy or rivalry.
Just amusement.
Like crushing an ant.
A trivial foe, stomped for fun.
So, seeing Christian now stirred no feeling, no response.
No one takes seriously a wrong done to an insignificant ant.